A family’s plans to send their daughter to Australia for studies have been tragically cut short due to a fatal accident in Lautoka on Sunday morning. Vani Ratudradra, who was set to join her twin sister later this year, lost her life in the crash, which also involved four other individuals.
The heartbreaking incident has left her family reeling as they come to terms with the sudden loss that has shattered their aspirations for Vani’s future. According to police spokesperson Ana Naisoro, Ratudradra was one of four passengers in a vehicle when the driver, a 24-year-old, allegedly lost control while travelling along Queens Road near Navutu. The vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a post. Vani succumbed to her injuries at the scene, while the driver and three others were taken to Lautoka Aspen Hospital, where they are hospitalized in serious condition.
Vani’s brother, Sela, described receiving the distressing call after 1 a.m. notifying him that his sisters had been in an accident. “I immediately went there. I couldn’t focus on the crowd of people, police, and fire officers; I just wanted to save my sister and rush her to the hospital,” he recounted. Vani had recently been discharged from the hospital after a serious illness, prompting her brother’s urgent attempts to save her.
Two of Vani’s sisters were also passengers in the vehicle, with one remaining in the Trauma Ward at Lautoka Hospital. The family was returning from a 21st birthday celebration at the time of the accident. “After she was discharged, we always made sure to take good care of her, and a family member had to accompany her wherever she went. She was with one of our sisters and some friends from the area,” Sela added.
Vani was a former student of Jasper Williams High School and was looking forward to studying in Australia later this year alongside her twin sister. The twins were the youngest among eight siblings. Their mother, Losalini Ratudradra, is still grappling with the shock of the tragedy. The three passengers and Vani were also meant to participate in a youth church service (Mataveitokani) at their church in Natabua on the same day.
As the investigation into the accident continues, Naisoro confirmed efforts are underway to determine the cause. The national road death toll currently stands at 42, a decrease from 63 for the same period last year.